Breaking Bad and other hit US TV shows only available online in Britain could for the first time compete for the UK's most prestigious television awards, the Baftas, following a change in the rules.

Bafta said programmes shown in the UK by web-based broadcasters such as Netflix, which were previously ineligible for the awards, would be embraced at next year's ceremony.

The rule change, announced on Tuesday, could see Breaking Bad – the finale of which was broadcast on US cable channel AMC on Sunday and made available to UK viewers via Netflix on Monday morning – and Kevin Spacey's House of Cards, nominated for next year's awards.

Another much-talked about Netflix show, the return of sitcom Arrested Development, would also be eligible.

Overseas shows are currently restricted to series broadcast by a UK television broadcaster, with the international prize last year won by Girls, Lena Dunham's HBO comedy set in New York, broadcast by Sky Atlantic.

Bafta's chief executive, Amanda Berry, said: "We continually strive to ensure our awards remain relevant to the industry, as well as reflecting the trends among the viewing public.

"We're in a golden era for storytelling and programme-making, with top-class shows being broadcast online as well as on digital and terrestrial television; the latest update to our rules ensures we celebrate and reward the very best."

Web-based broadcasters will be allowed to enter any category provided the programme was made available to view for the first time in the UK during the eligible period – in the case of next year's awards, between 1 January and 31 December 2013.

Breaking Bad and House of Cards would be eligible for the international category, because their creative and editorial control is outside of the UK. But web-based programmes where the creative control or majority of the funding came from the UK would be eligible for any category.

In another change, the comedy programme category has been expanded to include panel shows such as Have I Got News for You and chat shows.

The changes apply to the Bafta TV awards, which will take place on 18 May next year, and the Bafta craft awards, on 27 April next year.

• The headline and text of this article were amended on 1 October 2013 to make clear that Bafta will not consider all US shows available online for any category, but only those that meet certain eligibility criteria.

• To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email media@theguardian.com or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".

• To get the latest media news to your desktop or mobile, follow MediaGuardian on Twitter and Facebook.